Richard R. Caron passed away a few days prior to his 85th birthday on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 surrounded by his loving family at the home of his daughter after a brief illness. Born in Springfield, MA to Rosaire and Beatrice Caron, Richard was a graduate of Cathedral High School, Assumption Academy in Worcester and attended Springfield College. Early in his business career, he worked at Gilbert & Barker Co. He became a Vice President of International Sales at Greif Bros., and most recently acted as a senior advisor at the family business, Bee-Line Corporation. A communicant of St. Mary’s Parish in Longmeadow, Richard was a family oriented man with a passion for cultivation and outdoor work which began in the early 1960’s when he started his own landscape company. RRC was also an avid New England Patriots fan who enjoyed his grandchildren’s high school and college lacrosse games throughout the northeast. His legendary ice fishing and deep sea fishing stories along with pitch and cribbage victories will live on in infamy. Richard was a past member of Longmeadow Country Club, The French Club and the Richelieu Club. Famous for his jokes, he was an avid music fan who also enjoyed Thursday night dinners with his wife Barb and their friends Clair and Ann in downtown Springfield.
Richard was predeceased by his first wife Kay in 1994.He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Barbara and his five children Jay G. Caron (Katie), Reverend David G. Caron, Daniel G. Caron (Stacy), Brian G. Caron and Beth Ann Caron Latsko (Tom). Richard leaves four loving grandchildren Ben and Sam Caron and Shane Latsko (fiancé Elisa Young) and Collen Latsko. He also leaves his sister Madeleine and her husband William P. Cunningham and his cousin Jackie Nelson and her husband Eric Rijo along with nephews Bill, Keith and Jason Cunningham and their families.The entire Caron Family would like to thank Ali Rivera, Dr. Mary Banda, along with the staff at Mercy Hospital and Dr. Tom Brunell for the tremendous care and compassion provided to their father.
Visiting hours will be held at Forastiere-Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow on Sunday, Aug. 13, from 2-7 PM. The Rite of Christian Burial mass will take place at St. Mary’s Church, 519 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow on Monday, Aug. 14, at 9:30 AM. There will not be a viewing service before the Mass. Friends are requested to gather at the church. Burial will immediately follow the service in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Springfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Dominican Province of St. Martin de Porres, 1421 North Causeway Boulevard, #200, Metairie, LA 70001.